Nagarkot Changunarayan Hike

Overview

Nagarkot Changunarayan Hike is a one-day trekking package with a guide to show, explain and point out things worthy of note from Nagarkot all the way to Changunarayan, from where you are driven to and from, the starting and ending points of the hike in a private car or van, all depending. Both of these places lie at the fringe ends of the Kathmandu valley. Nagarkot is atop a hill on the Northeast-east side and Changunarayan, somewhat to the west of it, with a linear distance of 9 kilometers apart and a trekking distance of 11.6 kilometers. Most of which is through forested and the remaining via agricultural and villages. This Nagarkot Changunarayan day trek should not take you more than five hours to cover.

Nagarkot is at the top of one of the many hills that make up the Kathmandu Valley, which is 32 kilometers away from the center of Kathmandu City and stands at an elevation of 2195 meters above sea level. From this height, you get astounding views of the Himalayas and Mount Everest and other mountain peaks all covers with snow in the distance to the north. It is a breath-taking view and the better part is if you can catch the sun rising over the horizon to the east. This is one of the places sought after to view the sun rising over the High Himalayan Mountains. The surrounding areas have lush green trees which give a home to a variety of bird species and animals, thus making it a haunt for nature lovers from the cities of Bhaktapur, Patan, Kathmandu and other places from Nepal. Historically, Nagarkot was a fort, built to observe the activities of the country as it has a strategic location and a wide view of the surrounding areas and beyond. It was also a popular hill station for the royal’s summer retreat from the valley’s heat.

Whereas Changunarayan, the ending point of the trek, is a small town more on the terraced flat part to the beginning of the Kathmandu valley. It is known for the Changunarayan temple which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a temple complex that has been dedicated and built for Lord Vishnu, It is considered to be the oldest Hindu Temple to have been built in the history of Nepal. It is named after a princess known as Chamak the daughter of a Kashmiri King who married the prince of Bhaktapur. The way to it from Nagarkot is mostly forested and downhill, most of the way. The remaining is near to Changunarayan is of terraced farmlands. So Changunarayan day trek is mostly on the quieter side with the birds, animals and the terrain to keep you, companions. Nagarkot Changunarayan day trek is most suitable for children besides grownups.

There is much that one can take away from Nagarkot Changunarayn Hike. The foremost is that if you happen to be there at dawn, you would get a spectacular view of the sun rising from the east of the High Himalayan snow-covered mountains, bringing into view different hues and colors of them. It seems almost magical and mystical. One of the best sunrises in Nepal or for that matter any other mountain range in the world.

The other good part of it, is, that you get to view a wide spectrum of Mountain ranges and peaks, more than you might get from other vantage points of Himalayan observation points from a distance. Himalayan ranges seen on a clear day include Ganesh Himal range, Langtang range, Jugal range, Rolwaling range, Mahalangur range (Everest range) and Numbur range with views of the Kathmandu valley and Shivapuri National Park.

From the package side, you are taken earlier enough, so that you reach in time to catch this magnificent sunrise and then bask in the glory of having breakfast with a view of the widest range of Himalayan ranges in the backdrop. What better way to start a hike off. Then there is the easy hike downhill for about five hours through forest and terrain giving you a taste of why hiking in Nepal is a favored destination for trekking enthusiasts. Then, on completion of the trek in Changunarayan, you get to visit the oldest temple built in Nepal to Lord Vishnu and named after Chamak, a princess of Kashmiri origin married to a Nepalese prince from Bhaktapur.

Last but not least being able to do this Changunarayn day hike, because you are taken in time to the starting point of the trek early by private vehicle comfortable and when it all said and done, returned by private vehicle to where you were picked up. On the hike, you are allowed to in the views of what rural Nepal looks and feel, plus get a taste of the flora and fauna of the country, all in a day.

Any additional information regarding this hiking trip?
This trip is meant for you if your interest lies in one-day treks closer to Kathmandu and can be an outing for the whole family including children. You all have got to be ready to be picked up early as four am, in order to catch the sun rising over the Himalayan Mountains at Nagarkot. It is a two hour drive from Kathmandu. Plus, you would need to bring clothing suitable for the time of the year. Early mornings are quite cold in the dead of winter. Plus bring some packed lunch or you can eat at tea-houses on the way. Breakfast can be had at Nagarkot before commencing the trek to Changunarayan.